Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at –

http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home?EventId=17059

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2016 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.  No declarations were made.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the Annual Performance Report for 2016 which set out progress with implementing agreed plans and strategies, the Council’s achievements over the last 12 months, and comparative performance data.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

A draft minute of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 16 November 2016 was circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Rhodes CC said that the Council could be proud to have performed so well in the face of severe funding reductions.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

(b)      That the significant transformation activity and positive overall progress in delivering the Council’s Strategic Priorities and mitigating the impact of national funding reductions, as set out in the Annual Report narrative, be noted;

(c)      That the positive improvement in 96 priority indicators and the service areas highlighted in the performance summary and data dashboards be noted and welcomed;  

(d)      That it be noted that the unfair national funding system:-

(i)       makes it increasingly difficult for the Council to deliver improvement across all priority areas; and

          (ii)      is creating an unequal basis for judging performance

and that the Council will continue to press its strong case for a fair funding settlement;

(e)      That it be noted that low comparative national funding will make it increasingly difficult for the Council to deliver improvement across all current priorities and services and that a reduced set of priority outcomes will be developed for the future;    

(f)       That the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader, be authorised to make any amendments to the draft Annual Performance Report prior to its submission to the County Council on 7 December 2016 for approval.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

It is best practice in performance management to undertake a review of overall progress on key performance areas at the end of the year and to benchmark performance against comparable authorities. It is also good practice to produce an annual performance report and ensure that it is scrutinised, transparent, and made publicly available.

The Council is poorly funded in comparison with other local authorities and this is likely to affect future performance.

The draft Report may be modified to reflect comments made by the Cabinet and the Scrutiny Commission as well as to include any final national comparative data which becomes available prior to its consideration by full Council.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities concerning the outcome of the consultation exercise on the Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy for Older People 2016-2026 and seeking approval of the Strategy and for a number of actions arising from a review of Extra Care provision. A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes. 

The Director highlighted work to be take in connection with Extra Care, including reviewing the approach to ensure value for money and achievement of specific outcomes, ensuring that comprehensive assessments and robust allocation protocols were in place and, with partners, identifying locations and funding options.

Mr. Houseman CC was pleased that the feedback from consultation had been very positive and noted that there had been good partnership working with district councils.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the results of the consultation on the Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy for Older People, including the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted;

(b)      That the Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy for Older People 2016-2026 including the associated Outline Delivery Plan, be approved;

(c)      That the proposed action arising from the Extra Care Annual Review 2016 highlighted at paragraph 21 (b) to (f) of the report be approved;

(d)      That the developments regarding both existing and potential future investment in Extra Care Schemes be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategy and associated Delivery Plan will provide the Council with agreed priorities in relation to accommodation for older people over the next 10 years.  Although adult social care does not directly provide accommodation, the Strategy has been developed to fulfil statutory duties relating to the Care Act, meet efficiency targets and provide a basis for planning, partnership working and commissioning, in accordance with the overarching Adult Social Care Strategy, to prevent, reduce, delay and meet a person’s need for services.

The annual Extra Care Strategy Review identified further work that would be necessary to maximise the outcomes being achieved from extra care services and savings that could be realised.  The views of residents and stakeholders have been taken into account in developing the model and there is support for the provision of further developments. 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding the implementation of the Communities and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-20, with particular regard to the collections hub, market town and shopping centre libraries, and ongoing reviews.  A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Blunt CC said that the Council was looking to keep costs down, ensure that its in-house libraries could continue operating (and preferably extend opening hours) and, hopefully, create a single hub for collections and records. 

Mr. White CC added his thanks to staff who had been working on the remodelling of services with commitment and enthusiasm, despite the substantial budget reductions.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the progress with the implementation of the Communities and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-20 be noted;

(b)      That the Director of Adults and Communities be authorised to develop a full SMART library implementation plan and ‘roll-out’ schedule across the County Council funded libraries, subject to the feedback on the initial pilot being satisfactory;

(c)      That a further progress report be submitted to the Cabinet in Autumn 2017.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The implementation of the Communities and Wellbeing Strategy will enable the new model for service delivery to be implemented over the Medium Term Financial Strategy period whilst continuing to fulfil statutory duties and meet the budgetary requirements and efficiency targets.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health concerning the publication of his Annual Report for 2016 - a statement on the health of Leicestershire’s population and a key document in helping to shape commissioning decisions to improve people’s health. A copy of the report, marked ‘7’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. White CC referred to the good work done by the ‘Staying Healthy’ district forums and via the Council’s Shire Grants scheme and implementation of the Council’s workplace wellbeing strategy.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2016 be noted and its recommendations supported;

(b)      That it be noted that the Annual Report will be submitted to the County Council for consideration on 7 December 2016.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Director of Public Health's Annual Report is a statutory independent report on the health of the population of Leicestershire. 

The purpose of a Director of Public Health is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Leicestershire.  This is done by reporting publicly and independently on trends and gaps in the health and wellbeing of the population and by making recommendations for improvement to a wide range of organisations.

One of the roles of the Director of Public Health is to be an independent advocate for the health of their population.  The Annual Reports are the main way by which Directors of Public Health make their conclusions known to the public.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Adults and Communities regarding the Lightbulb Programme Business Case for transforming practical housing support.  The report sought approval to implement an integrated model of housing support and for the Leicestershire Equipment, Adaptations and Assistive Technology Strategy and associated Action Plan. A copy of the report, marked ‘8’, is filed with these minutes. 

The Chief Executive reported that Charnwood Borough Council had, since publication of the report, paid a contribution to the Better Care Fund for 2016/17 (referred to in paragraph 23 of the report).

Mr. White CC and Mr. Houseman CC were pleased to note that the funding issue had been resolved for 2016/17.  They noted that Lightbulb was a transformative project which would greatly benefit the whole of Leicestershire if the County and District councils could work together well. 

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the potential benefits of service transformation and integration set out in the Lightbulb Programme Business Case be noted;

(b)      That the Lightbulb Programme service model set out in the Business Case be agreed as the future mechanism for delivering the housing support offer across Leicestershire;

(c)      That the Leicestershire Equipment, Adaptations and Assistive Technology Strategy 2016-2020 and Action Plan be approved;

(d)      That the Director of Adults and Communities, in consultation with the Director of Public Health as Senior Responsible Officer for the Early Help and Prevention Review, be authorised to progress the practical actions set out in the Business Case to support implementation of the Lightbulb Programme service model across the County.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The new integrated model for housing support will:

·     Deliver savings to the health and care economy by maximising the part housing support can play in keeping people independent in their homes; preventing or reducing care home placements or demand on other social care services, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions/readmissions or GP visits, and facilitating hospital discharge.

·     Improve the customer journey; making services easier to access and navigate and ensuring the right solution is available at the right time with the right outcome.

·     Provide efficient, cost effective service delivery, particularly in relation to the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants.

The Lightbulb model will require a significant level of change and the Business Case outlines work required by all partners to implement new ways of working during 2017/18, including the ending of related contracts and realignment of investment to support the Lightbulb model.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which provided an overview of the progress of the Supporting Leicestershire Families Service in the context of the recently published National Evaluation report on the first Troubled Families Programme. A copy of the report, marked ‘9’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Ould CC said that the project was proving a great success and thanked partner organisations for their continued support.  Members commented that significant change had already been achieved and long-term benefits, over years and generations, were sought.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the successful outcomes of the Supporting Leicestershire Families programme, including the increasingly positive cost-benefit analysis, be noted;

(b)      That it be noted that a number of partner organisations have agreed their funding contribution to the SLF programme until March 2019 but that confirmation of continued support from the East Leicestershire and Rutland and West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups is still awaited.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

A national evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme was published by the Government on 17^th October 2016.  The SLF programme, which differs from the national scheme in a number of respects, is evidencing good outcomes and wider benefits.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning the proposed response to the Department for Education consultation entitled “Schools that work for everyone”.  A copy of the report, marked ‘10’, is filed with these minutes. 

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the content of the Department for Education consultation be noted, in particular the proposals relating to the greater involvement of Universities and Independent Schools in the state education sector, the potential for development of selective (grammar) schools, and relaxation of admissions for faith schools;

(b)      That the County Council’s response to the consultation as set out in the Appendix to the report be approved;

(c)      That, following the Government’s response to the consultation, the County Council should engage with Loughborough University as to the University’s position.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To respond to a key consultation on proposals that will have an impact on the running of schools and in particular the potential establishment of selective schools throughout England which could significantly change the educational landscape of Leicestershire.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UAS children) and on representations made by the Council to the Government regarding the financial costs incurred in meeting the needs of such children.   A copy of the report, marked ‘11’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Ould CC and Mr. White CC said that whilst the Council wished to help further, the Government was simply not providing enough resources and there was not enough capacity in any event.  Leicestershire, along with other councils, had a shortage of foster carers and struggled to find placements for children already in its care.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the increase in the number of UAS children being accommodated in Leicestershire be noted;

(b)      That it be noted that there exists a potential for additional young people previously housed in Calais having to be accommodated in Leicestershire if they have family connections in the County;

(c)      That the comments made by the Home Secretary and the Immigration Minister to review the current formula for funding young UAS children be noted, but the Cabinet re-affirms its previous decision to disengage from the voluntary National Transfer Scheme until the full costs of providing for such young people are met;

(d)      That the increasing difficulty being experienced in identifying appropriate placements for such young people and the Government’s proposed Controlling Migration Fund to help meet related costs, the details of which have still to be assessed, be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The current estimated cost of supporting 70 UAS children in Leicestershire is £4.64 million, which at present levels requires the County Council to contribute £2.05 million of its own resources. There is a continuing commitment to support these children, who are the Council’s direct statutory responsibility, but only to re-engage with the National Transfer Scheme when the full costs are met by the Government.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) and the resettlement of families in Leicestershire under the Scheme.  A copy of the report, marked ‘12’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Ould CC reported that the Regional Migration Board, of which he was a member, had looked at good practice elsewhere and he hoped that this could be replicated in Leicestershire.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the arrangements put in place by the County Council and partners to support the placement to date of six families from Syria be noted;

(b)      That it be noted that there are ongoing discussions with the district councils to review the governance arrangements and to ensure that the allocation of the SVPRS funding for social care and education costs are in line with Government guidance.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the Cabinet is aware of the latest position regarding the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, and to seek to ensure the Scheme is appropriately governed and properly deploys Government funding.

(Mr. White CC and Mrs Posnett CC left the meeting at this point and did not return).

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding work undertaken to ensure that the Council received sufficient developer (Section 106) contributions to meet demands being placed on services by developments across the County.  A copy of the report, marked ‘13’, is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Blunt CC commented that the process was not generally well understood but it was crucial that district councils, as local planning authorities, secured developer funding for infrastructure such as roads and schools.

RESOLVED:

That progress with regard to developer (Section 106) contributions continues to be monitored and a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in 6 months’ time.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

It is important that the County Council does what it can to meet the demands on its services in increasingly difficult financial circumstances.  Ensuring that developers make appropriate contributions to mitigate the consequences of their developments is essential if communities are not disadvantaged and the County Council is not put under excessive financial demands which it will not be able to meet.  Local planning authorities should do all they can to ensure developments are sustainable and meet the reasonable obligations requested of them.  

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the outcome of the review of tourism support services across Leicester and Leicestershire and seeking approval for the proposed arrangements for the future, including an outline business plan for the establishment of a local authority owned Place Marketing Organisation (PMO). A copy of the report, marked ‘14’, is filed with these minutes. 

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

(b)      That the County Council working with Leicester City Council jointly establishes a Place Marketing Organisation by way of a Teckal-compliant Company Limited by Guarantee to deliver Place Marketing, Inward Investment and Strategic Tourism across Leicester and Leicestershire;

(c)      That the 3-year Outline Business Plan (as appended to the report) be approved, noting the final Business Plan will be further refined and approved by the PMO Board of Directors once the Company is established;

(d)      That final governance arrangements, including proposed appointments to the Board of Directors, together with the Articles of Association and Members Agreement for the PMO be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet for approval.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Officers from the County and City Councils have reviewed arrangements in comparable cities and counties and it is clear that many successfully promote their respective areas through a shared set of messages and communication channels. The proposed PMO would lead and co-ordinate this activity.

The outline business plan summarises proposals in relation to company set-up and functionality and will need to be further developed and refined prior to final approval by the PMO Board of Directors.

Further stakeholder engagement needs to take place prior to the final governance arrangements being proposed. The Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement will set out the objects of the PMO Company and the relationship between the members of the company, i.e. the City and County Councils. 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport seeking approval for the implementation of a developer-funded Traffic Regulation Order, as required by the planning approval for Taylor Wimpey East Midlands, Land off Grange Road, Hugglescote.  A copy of the report, marked ‘15’, is filed with these minutes. 

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with the Land off Grange Road, Hugglescote development, as shown on drawing no.TM4362/2/2016 attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Traffic Regulation Order is required to facilitate the construction of the agreed site access for a development off Grange Road.  The new site access road will be constructed from the development to Grange Road through an existing lay-by which is being removed and replaced in part by a shared use footway/cycleway. The Order will manage highway safety along the proposed shared use footway/cycleway by extinguishing existing motor vehicle rights.

There were no items referred from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.